Has it really been three whole years since Janelle Monáe unleashed her electrifying major-label debut, The ArchAndroid, upon an unsuspecting populace? To answer my own rhetorical question: damn near. Having kept in fighting form by collaborating with the likes of Estelle and Big Boi, the Wondaland/Bad Boy hits the ground running with the lead single off LP numéro deux. An electro-funk anthem for the proudly eccentric, Q.U.E.E.N. finds Monáe delivering sung and rapped bars over the shapeshifting production work of Nate Wonder and Chuck Lightning. Veteran neo-soul songstress Erykah Badu lends a hand on the vocal tip. Has this left-of-center banger left you craving more? Then keep it locked; Electric Lady as yet lacks a drop date, but we’ll keep you supplied with fresh tunes and release details as they emerge.

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Janelle Monae, mirroring the music she makes, is whimsical and intelligent, beautiful and perhaps most importantly, 100 percent authentic. Certain artists have the ability to weave their personalities into their music. Since...
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